Source: Port of Hamburg
The
Port of Hamburg reports that it handled a total of 72.6 million tons (+ 6.6 percent) in the first six months of 2014. 50.7 million tons of predominantly container handling achieved a result of 4.8 million TEU (20-ft standard containers) - an increase of 6.8 percent.
The Port of Hamburg points out that the largest seaports in north Europe have produced an average growth in total handling of 1.8 percent and in container handling of 2.6 percent. The port says that it has also recorded above average growth in container traffic, with an increase in market share from 25.7 to 26.7 percent.
At 51.6 million tons in the first half year, general cargo handling showed a gain of 8.8 percent. "We can see extraordinarily strong growth in loaded container handling: 4.2 million full boxes went over the quay walls in Hamburg. That is 8.2 percent more than in the previous year and more than ever before in the port’s history in a first half-year,” explained
Axel Mattern, member of the Executive Board of Port of Hamburg Marketing. At 588,000 TEU, handling empty boxes showed a slight decline of 2.1 percent. Strong exports - with a total of 2.3 million TEU (+ 6.3 percent) in container handling, and comparably strong imports at 2.5 million TEU (+ 7.4 percent) - were said to be largely responsible for the generally above-average result in container handling.
Throughput in conventional general cargo also showed positive development with a plus of 930,000 tons (+ 0.8 percent) in the first half year, including 302,000 tons (+ 1.7 percent) in project and heavy lift cargo handling at the special terminals. This was possible thanks to strong growth in imports from 33.3 percent up to 66,000 tons, the port said.
The bulk cargo sector, with 21 million tons, achieved growth of 1.6 percent. This result was said to be mainly due to growing exports of grain, petroleum, biodiesel and chemical products. On the import side there was a slight 4.5 percent decline in throughput of suction, grabbable and liquid cargo.
Delayed ships and construction sites have not hindered growth
Against a backdrop of considerable ship delays, the large container ports in the North Range are presented with the challenge of how to cope in these situations. The delays - on average 70 hours and more in container shipping, especially for the larger containerships with between 6,000 and 7,000 containers (TEU) handled in each ship call - can very quickly lead to traffic problems at the port terminals. In addition the numerous construction sites in the port and in the Hamburg area influence traffic flows at times. "We are especially pleased that in spite of these difficult conditions the Port of Hamburg can be competitive in the North Range and so successful, even gaining extra cargo volumes," said Mattern.
Securing the Port of Hamburg’s reliability and quality is of special importance to
Frank Horch, Hamburg’s Senator for economics, transport and innovation, who stressed: "It is our joint task to bring the transport chain in and through the Port of Hamburg back to the high level of reliability that made the port a preferred logistics service provider. Our investments in infrastructure are an absolute must. Today, those who make a case for less building, are putting the future of our location at risk."
Heinrich Ahlers, CEO of Buss Port Logistics said that accessibility to Hamburg‘s universal port for heavy lifts was "vital" for many port companies and their employees. "Project cargo safeguards jobs for port service providers and multi-purpose terminals, such as our Buss Hansa Terminal. Hamburg policymakers must work together with the federal government and states to further maintain infrastructure, to avoid migration and the loss in value creation that would cause," he said.
From the point of view of Port of Hamburg Marketing, general good coordination of construction sites in the port and its main traffic axes have been greatly facilitating cargo traffic flows and contributed to the record results achieved in seagoing throughput in the Port of Hamburg. "The port cargo handling business as well as the transport companies have impressively demonstrated that even with temporarily critical situations it is possible to move large volumes of cargo into the hinterland. We can now already say that the fourth tube of the Elbe Tunnel, which is again in use has visibly relieved the traffic situation. The maintenance work necessary on the Köhlbrand bridge in the port is also making good progress and will be completed in October," emphasized Axel Mattern.
Jens Meier, Managing Director of Hamburg Port Authority, added: "Our excellent figures are at the same time a challenge for the tomorrow. Only together can we guarantee the traffic flows for the future and so sustainably remain on course."
The Port of Hamburg Marketing Executive Board also states clearly that it will keep domestic and foreign port customers informed through the port representatives on particular challenges e.g. the still outstanding river channel adjustments of the lower and outer Elbe and the impact of construction work and temporary handling bottlenecks at the terminals.
"Our Port customers are showing considerable understanding for this particular situation. It is clear to them that the traffic and handling situation in other large European container ports is also not free of traffic jams and other problems. We rely on speedy implementation and completion of Hamburg’s most important infrastructure projects and on the strong performance of the Port and transport industry in Hamburg and the region. Hamburg is Germany’s largest port and logistics location and takes on an exceptional function as a hub for global cargo flows for our economy and the exports of our neighbouring countries," added Egloff.
Number of especially large containerships increasing further in Hamburg
The first six months were also marked by a volume increase in seaborne cargo of an unforeseeable amount, brought about by the continued growth in size of containerships. In the first half year of 2014, Hamburg received 244 ultra large containerships with slot capacities of 10,000 TEU and more. The number of these larger ships calling increased by 27.1 percent.
Double-digit growth for container traffic with China, India, Africa and Poland
The Port of Hamburg has profited from stable German exports and a stronger demand in neighbouring European countries. As a north European hub, over 1.4 million TEU (+ 12.9 percent) passed through Hamburg, especially en route to China. Container traffic from Indian ports reaching Hamburg in the first half year achieved a result of 118,000 TEU (+ 13.2 percent).
Container traffic with Africa was very positive in the first half year, reaching 171,000 TEU - a plus of 33.3 percent. Of special importance for the Port of Hamburg are container volumes from and to the Baltic Sea region: 1.2 million TEU were transported in the first half year using feeder ships. That represents a plus of 4.5 percent. Container traffic handling with Polish ports reached 199,000 TEU (+ 33.5 percent). Container traffic between Hamburg and Russian ports reached 330,000 TEU in the first six months and so remains 3.8 percent under comparable results for the previous year. After China, Russia is the second most important trading partner for the Port of Hamburg in container traffic. With more than 160 feeder services weekly, of which 32 call at Russian ports, Hamburg is the central hub for the Baltic region in container traffic.
Record level of 145 million tons can be reached by the end of the year
"In 2014 we can reach a plus of four percent in sea cargo handling and in container handling a five percent increase, if everything goes according to plan," forecasts Axel Mattern. This forecast is based on further growth in container traffic with China and no increasing limitations on foreign trade with Russia due to sanctions.
According to the Port of Hamburg, a total turnover of approximately 145 million tons and a container throughput of about 9.7 million TEU is possible for 2014. This would top the previous record achieved in 2008 of 140 million tons of sea cargo.
